Two Blues trounced by Pirates

THE weather was gloomy and Prahran matched the mood of the conditions with a lamentable display against Old Peninsula on Saturday.

The shell shocked Two Blues were ambushed by a first quarter seven goals to nil first quarter blitz by the home team Pirates.

There was a flicker of hope with a second quarter revival but in truth this game was over at the first break.

The final result of 7-16 (58) to Old Peninsula 15-13 (103) was a trouncing, the Two Blues heaviest defeat of the year and a hammer blow to finals aspirations.

The loss leaves the Two Blues fifth on the VAFA Division 1 ladder, ahead of Old Peninsula on percentage only.

In near perfect conditions despite morning rain, the home team moved the ball with speed at will as Prahran, so heroic the previous  week against Kew, were consigned to being spectators.

It was clear the Two Blues showed little respect for their lower ranked rival and their collective lack of engagement was the result

As coach Brett Dickinson told his players it was time to reflect and get in the right head space over the two week break.

Prahran did not score a goal until eight minutes into the second quarter when Shaun Chapman, a lone hand up forward, marked and goaled.

When Jake Stent-Powell, Matthew Clifford and Matthew Wall, Team Of The Decade (2010-19) player and a welcome return after several seasons away from the game,  goaled in succession it was game on.

But some missed set shots proved costly when against the run of play the Pirates goaled again just before half-time.

Co captains Rory Brodie and James Musster led the way in the second term wrestling the advantage in clearances.

The third quarter told the story of the day, Prahran yielded just five points, all from gettable positions, while Old Peninsula closed the quarter with a volley of three successive goals to ice the game by three quarter time.

While Chapman, Brodie, Musster, Riley Hogan and Mackenzie Mayne were tireless in their efforts the Two Blues had way too many passengers.

Interesting to note one of Old Peninsula’s stars was Bailey Payze, son of club legend Shaun Payze who played a club record 428 games,

PRAHRAN 0-4 4-9 4-14 7-16 (58)

OLD PENINSULA 7-5 8-6 12-9 15-13 (103)

Goals. M. Clifford 2, M. Wall 2, S. Chapman, J. Stent-Powell, J. Gottschalk
Best :J. Musster, R. Hogan, R. Brodie, M. Mayne, B. Galbraith, J. Waters.

RESERVES

ANOTHER big win for the Reserves, now fifth on the ladder and with a bullet.

While Peninsula was undermanned, the Two Blues showed no mercy with 64 point thumping.

Undoubted highlight was the seven goals from Irish recruit Niall O'Sullivan.

PRAHRAN 5-5 8-9 13-17 16-22 (118)

OLD PENINSULA 1-2 5-4 6-4 8-6 (64)

Goals. N. O'Sullivan 7, N. Kellock 5, J. Forrestall 2, V. Brigante, T. Beddison
Best:T. Beddison, N. O''Sullivan, T. Spinks, H. Taylor, M. Grogan, N. Kellock.

THIRDS

PRAHRAN 2-2 3-2 6-5 6-8 (44)

GLEN EIRA 5-2 7-6 8-9 10-10 (70)

Goals. F. Scalise 2, P. Smith 2, J. Andrews 2
Best:J. Annett, J. Andrews, J. Marshall, N. Keohler, P. Smith, N. Tetteroo